Providing Project Design Calculator features, that will enable a scientific based approach to any Commercial application. We Work Better, We Feel Better and Think better utilising natural daylighting solutions.

As the company that pioneered the development of tubular daylighting devices (TDDs) and introduced them to the market, Solatube® has spent more than 25 years developing breakthrough optical Skylight technologies.

Whirlybirds

Whirlybirds vs. the Solar Star: It’s no contest

Are you looking for the best ways to improve your roof ventilation? Are you asking yourself, do whirlybirds really work? We all know that wherever you are in Australia, the weather can get pretty hot. And even during the winter months, the sunny days can cause the attic portion of your home to get really warm, providing an ideal place for mould and mildew to flourish.

To keep your home comfortable and free of harmful mould, you need to improve the air circulation, and the best way to do that is by drawing heated air up and out of your roof. Vented electric fans are one solution – but because they need to be run on a fairly regular basis, they can be costly. Whirlybirds are another option, and since they use no electricity, they’ve proven pretty popular. But are they the best choice?

Whirlybirds: Serious limitations

Whirlybirds are completely passive, relying on a temperature differential to spin their turbines and draw air out of your home. Without that temperature difference, whirlybirds do nothing – and even a small dip in temperature can cause inconsistent results with even the best whirlybirds on the market, which means you’re still left with an attic full of hot, moist air. In fact, when it comes down to it, the one advantage of whirlybirds is their zero operational costs; but unless they provide results, that’s really no advantage at all.

The Solar Star: A superior alternative

To move air – lots of it – you need a powered fan; that’s just all there is to it. Powered fans move more air at a more consistent rate over time, so you can enjoy cooler, drier air indoors. The Solar Star lets homeowners enjoy the advantages of a powerful fan-driven system – with the zero-cost advantage of whirlybirds. In fact, the Solar Star is so efficient, tests show a single Solar Star RM1200 unit can provide the same amount of air exchange as 10+ whirlybirds, and the Solar Star RM1600 is equivalent to 15+ whirlybirds! All through the use of solar energy.

Here is a demonstration of the Solar Star compared to a common Whirlybird.

The Solatube Solar Star’s slim, patented design was developed to conform to any roof shape, and unlike whirlybirds, the Solar Star’s low profile will fit right in with your home’s style and design. The durable brushless motor is whisper quiet, and a Solatube Certified Installer can install the leak-proof unit in under 1 hour. And of course, like all Solatube products, the Solar Star comes with a great warranty – five years on the solar panel and 10 years on the rest of the unit. For a more in-depth look at the performance comparison of the Solar Star, please refer to our Manufacturer’s Statement.